Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on Russia and Ukraine to halt attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea, while agreeing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to pursue a new grain transport route through the region. Erdogan delivered the appeal on Saturday during a joint press conference with Zelenskyy in Istanbul, stressing that strikes on non-military ships were unacceptable regardless of which side was responsible. Related coverage • Ukraine expands its military

Hungry and exhausted residents of the Russian-controlled Ukrainian town of Oleshky have arrived in Ukraine during a large-scale civilian evacuation, made possible by the first humanitarian ceasefire of its kind in more than four years of Russia’s war. The six-day truce for the town was secured through mediation involving US First Lady Melania Trump and support from Pope Leo XIV. It marks the longest local halt in hostilities since Russia launched its full invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Ukrainians evacuated from Oleshky arrived at Gomel Airport in Belarus on three separate flights, according to reports from the local news agency BelTA. Residents of Oleshky were first transported by bus to the Russian Black Sea city of Anapa. They then spent several hours traveling by air to Gomel. Upon arrival, they were met by emergency service personnel, medical teams, and Red Cross volunteers. Reports said that evacuees were also able to bring their pets with them. At the airport, the

The United States has said it approved the potential sale of 500 Patriot PAC-3 interceptor missiles to Ukraine, in a deal estimated at $2.1bn. The proposed package, which includes missiles, spare parts and support services, was announced by the US State Department on Friday. It would mark one of the largest moves to provide Kyiv with defensive weaponry since President Donald Trump began his second term in January 2025. Recommended Stories • list 1 of 3Concerns grow in Europe over alleged

My earliest reading memory My mother read to me every night before bed, but by the time I was about three I had begun to focus less on the illustrations and more on the words themselves. Soon afterwards I was reading alone, regularly bringing home four library books a week. My favourite book growing up As a child, I loved Alison Goudge’s The Little White Horse. Its blend of history and gothic fantasy made a lasting impression on me. It is grounded and enchanting, unsettling without ever

A Ukrainian delegation has safely arrived in occupied Oleshky, where the evacuation operation has begun. The announcement was made by Davyd Arakhamia, leader of the Servant of the People parliamentary faction. “Evacuation and the distribution of humanitarian aid have started. The ceasefire remains in effect. More details will follow,” he said. Ukraine’s Human Rights Commissioner, Dmytro Lubinets, shared footage of his meeting with residents of occupied Oleshky in the Kherson region. In the

In mid-October, Starlink connectivity in Ukraine’s combat zone was restricted, causing drone flights to halt and military operations to be suspended. According to reports, experts warn that the consequences could become even more serious. The worst-case scenario—a complete shutdown—could ultimately give Russia a major advantage in the war. There is currently no full-scale alternative to Starlink. European efforts to build a comparable satellite network remain far from reaching the same

Police in South Carolina have determined that the death of US actress Hayden Panettiere was accidental, bringing their local investigation to a close. The Heroes and Nashville actor died in August at the age of 36 after experiencing the toxic effects of fentanyl, Xanax and other substances found in her body. After the medical examiner reported last month that Panettiere had died from a drug overdose, the Greenville Police Department said it had completed its investigation into the case. The US

One moment I’m pedalling across a wide sweep of dusty-pink heath, with gentle sand dunes rising on the far horizon; the next, I’m gliding into a sweet-smelling Scots pine forest. Sunlight slips between the red-barked trunks, scattering shifting white patterns across the path in front of me. I’m in Hoge Veluwe National Park, a 5,400-hectare nature reserve in Gelderland, roughly 90 minutes from Amsterdam. Around 40km of cycle routes run through its landscapes, while some 2,000 distinctive white

A leading African health official has warned that the unusually wide spread of the Ebola outbreak could eventually put the UK and other countries at risk. With the outbreak now surpassing 10,000 reported cases and nearing 5,000 deaths, Dr Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, said the situation carried echoes of the Covid-19 pandemic. That crisis began in China before rapidly spreading worldwide, causing millions of deaths and placing enormous

It is easy to keep postponing a once-in-a-lifetime journey: Move it to next season, next year, after a renovation, or simply leave it as a dream. For travelers hoping to stop delaying, National Geographic’s 2027 selection of 25 essential places to visit offers a particularly timely collection of immersive, experience-led ideas. The list includes new attractions, including Chile’s Cape Froward National Park, alongside major commemorations such as a Leipzig, Germany, festival honoring 200 years

Jordan launched air strikes in Syria in what it described as retaliation for last week’s deadly attack on a church, while Syrian officials said at least seven people, including three children and a woman, were killed in the raids. The strikes on Monday led Syria to shut its main border crossing with Jordan. Recommended Stories • list 1 of 3Suwayda remains tense as the United States shows differences with Israel over Syria • list 2 of 3Jordan detains three suspects in early raid linked to church

At this year’s Cannes Film Festival, “Hope,” the new film by South Korean director Na Hong-jin, sparked a considerable reaction. Known for the crime thrillers “The Chaser” and “The Yellow Sea,” the filmmaker returned with a large-scale monster story that left audiences divided. Although the movie went home without awards, some praised it as an inventive take on creature features, a bold dismantling of familiar genre conventions, and a surprisingly sharp satire. Others criticized its excessive

The administration of Donald Trump is reportedly considering former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for the position of UN secretary-general. Orbán, widely known for his Russia-friendly views, was allegedly encouraged by the United States to enter the race. According to reports, the initiative came directly from the American side. A US State Department representative admitted that the proposal may initially sound unusual. However, based on preliminary contacts with Washington, Russia and

Andy Burnham has said local leaders in England should no longer be forced to go “cap in hand to Westminster” as the government prepares a new push to hand more spending authority to the regions in next week’s budget. In his statement on Wednesday, the chancellor, John Healey, is expected to unveil proposals for a new £1.5bn borrowing facility, developed jointly with metro mayors over the next two years. Regional leaders have long argued that their ability to borrow is too restricted, especially

October’s full moon will light up the night sky this weekend, and observant stargazers may also be able to spot Saturn nearby. Coming about a month after the autumn equinox, the full moon will rise unusually early, appearing around sunset before reaching its fullest point at 12:12 a.m. ET on Monday, October 26. On Sunday evening, Saturn will shine with a golden tint a few degrees south of the moon. The moon’s low position near the horizon can make it seem warmer in color, with shades of orange

Watching birds may help support a healthier ageing brain, and it is increasingly being introduced as a calming activity for people living with dementia. Each week, a small group of older bird enthusiasts gathers inside a wooden shelter in the English countryside. They sit quietly with binoculars, then eagerly compare sightings: an oystercatcher using its vivid beak to search among the stones, or a pair of great crested grebes floating across the lake with their feathered crests raised. Many in

Gliding towards the mountains by rail can make flying to a ski resort feel unnecessarily stressful. A journey that looks quick on paper often becomes an all-day ordeal once airport queues, crowded cabins and lengthy road transfers are added in. When calculated from door to door, a daytime train journey from London can rival flying for speed, while an overnight service can leave you with more valuable time on the snow. As Alpine glaciers continue to lose snow cover in a warming climate,

Russian actor Yefim Startsev, known for appearances in the television series “Menty Wars” and “Our Special Forces,” was killed while fighting in Russia’s war against Ukraine. He was 50 years old. Information about his death emerged only recently, although he was reportedly killed on September 30. Russian media, citing people close to the actor, reported that Startsev was buried in St. Petersburg near members of his family. It remains unclear how Yefim Startsev ended up participating in the war

The Stanford Prison Experiment ran for fewer than seven days in 1971, yet its supposed lessons about human behavior shaped public discussion for generations. A new Netflix series is now returning one of psychology’s most disputed studies — along with the serious questions surrounding it — to public attention. Led by American psychologist Philip Zimbardo, the project turned the basement of a Stanford University building into a simulated prison. From more than 70 men who replied to a newspaper